I first read about the drug nimodipine (Nimotop) being used in very small dosages to treat chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and related 'environmental', or 'invisible' illnesses (e.g. fibromyalgia, multiple chemical sensitivity) over a decade ago. Looking back I am not sure what prompted me to cast it aside so easily as a treatment option but this is what I did. I think perhaps I was more focused on resolving my gut dysbiosis issues which I saw (and still see) as the main driver of my ill-health. I also was more averse to opting for pharmaceutical interventions than I am now. Regardless, after reading of the recoveries of Dr. Mason-Brown MD and psychologist Dr. Kristina Downing-Orr in the latter's book Beating Chronic Fatigue using nimodopine as the basis, I have decided it is time to give it a shot.

In the intervening period since reading about nimodipine use in ME/CFS I have managed to overcome multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) and learnt methods to manage what was crippling and life-threatening seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Unfortunately I have found myself going around in many  circles and hitting many brick walls when it comes to tackling the ME/CFS from which I have suffered for 20+ years. All reasonable options are therefore on the table.

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Environmental Health Perspectives recently drew attention to a controversial statement released by the largest general scientific organization in the world - The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) - which asserted that GM crops are completely safe and no labeling of GM foods and food products is required.

In response to this the environmental and consumer health information group published both the AAAS statement and a counter argument written by Patricia Hunt, PhD, of Washington State University and co-signed by 20 prominent scientists from fields including environmental health sciences and medicine. This set up a very informative and enlightening yes/no debate on whether or not foods containing GM ingredients should be clearly labeled as such.

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There is no doubt that the Information Age has provided both society as a whole and those suffering from environmental illnesses with countless benefits. Over recent years however there has been a huge shift in the way we access the information available online, with cellular and wireless devices such as the iPhone and iPad (and smartphone and tablet alternatives) replacing the traditional desktop or laptop computer as the preferred means of getting online for many.

The benefits of such devices are easy to see. For example, cell phones are generally always switched on and ready to use and tablet computers can be switched on in an instant; compare this to desktop and laptop computers which can take an age to start up! Then there is the portability of such small and light devices. Many people suffering from environmental illnesses from chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and fibromyalgia to multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) and mold-related illness need to spend a lot of time in bed resting (and in the most unfortunate severe cases may be bed-bound). The above benefits of the likes of an iPhone or iPad make it easy to rest up in bed while still having easy, hassle-free access to the internet. Accessing medical information and support groups from the relative comfort of bed can be an important lifeline for many. 

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What is the Blood-Brain Barrier?

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a selectively permeable membrane that surrounds the brain and seperates this vital organ from the systemic circulation. The BBB serves the essential function of creating a "protective bubble" around the brain. It can be seen as acting as a gatekeeper - allowing only those molecules from the bloodstream that are required by the brain (e.g. oxygen, hormones) to enter into the brain extracellular fluid, while keeping out substances (neurotoxins) which may be damaging (e.g. metabolic & environmental toxins, bacteria). The BBB also actively transports certain metabolically essential molecules like glucose - that do not cross the barrier passively - into the brain extra cellular fluid via specific protein transporters.

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I think most people would agree that aging is not particularly desirable. Some even go as far as to call it a "disease". While I wouldn't go that far, I want to do all I can to understand the aging process and perhaps slow it down and avoid its more serious consequences.

What are these consequences I am talking about? Well although I do not see aging as a disease in itself, our risk of degenerative diseases certainly increases as our bodies age. Heart attacks, strokes and cancer, some of the the biggest killers in the developed world become much more likely, as do multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease and various forms of dementia such as Alzheimer's disease. Not to mention conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis which can leave individuals disabled.

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The widespread use of antibiotics, birth control pills and immune-suppressing steroids as anti-inflammatories, combined with modern high sugar diets, has led to the overgrowth of Candida and other yeasts in the upper gut becoming common and leading to debilitating systemic illness.

As an individual living with this for the past 20 years or so I have begun to notice something that should be obvious but nobody I am aware of has written about - that is that many effects of intestinal Candida overgrowth are the same as those that alcoholics experience or are at risk for.

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Glutathione (GSH) is a small tripeptide molecule (composed of 3 amino acids) that plays a big part in detoxifying the body of harmful substances and protecting it from reactive oxygen molecules such as free radicals in its role as an antioxidant. The three amino acids that combine to form glutathione are cysteine, glycine and glutamic acid.

Glutathione is a major player in the Phase 2 (conjugation) detoxification system which is primarily active in the liver. Molecules of glutathione are "conjugated", or joined, to toxins that have either passed through Phase 1 (cytochrome P450) system to prepare them for conjugation, or to substances which are already amenable to joining with glutathione. Once glutathione conjugation has taken place the toxins can be safely and easily excreted from the body.

As an antioxidant glutathione directly neutralizes free radicals and other reactive oxygen molecules like peroxides. In addition to this it also plays a role in maintaining levels of other important antioxidants including vitamin C and vitamin E.

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Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections (PANDAS) is a mental illness with a sudden onset affecting young children. It presents with behaviour typical of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), as well as separation anxiety and mood swings.

PANDAS has been a controversial diagnosis, not least because many of the symptoms place it well within the reach of the autism spectrum disorders (ASD) umbrella. A quick browse of online autism support forums reveals many a discussion on the subject of PANDAS among parents of autistic children or those seeking answers for sudden changes in their child's behaviour. One website estimates that "at least 40%" of children diagnosed with an ASD have PANDAS.

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Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is something of a family "tradition". Besides myself, both my mother and sister are also long-term survivors of this devastating illness.

We have all tried countless treatments and therapies over the years, some have helped, most have not. Both my mother and sister however have been treated using The Perrin Technique and seen positive results. My mother tries to see her specially trained osteopath regularly for the treatment or she sees a noticeable downturn in her condition. My sister got married in the summer of 2009 and says regular Perrin Technique treatments leading up to the big day definitely helped her get through it.

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After the initial bewilderment and panic of becoming sensitive to what were previously harmless everyday items and environments, everyone who suffers from multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) quickly realises that there is yet more suffering in store for them. Firstly, their regular doctor is unlikely to take the condition seriously or diagnose it correctly, instead opting for a psychiatric diagnosis. Secondly, no treatment actually targetted at MCS is likely to be forthcoming.

Even when naturopathic doctors and other alternative practitioners who do recognise MCS for what it is are consulted, the treatments on offer are often expensive and only partially successful at best.

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